In ancient China the orchid represented ‘loyalty’. Probably still does. And this nobile (type) Dendrobium orchid has been ‘loyally’ flowering every spring for three or four years now. Perched high in the fork of a Melaleuca paperbark tree it has survived drought, flood, summer, winter, and a host of other setbacks to continue on every spring with a burst of virginal white blossom. Such a sweet orchid. It is the 'alba' form of the more flamboyant magenta Dendrobium nobile which famously flowers right across India, Assam, the Himalayas, Burma, through Thailand, and on to Vietnam. No self respecting Australian garden is complete without its piece of exotic Dendrobium nobile. So too most temperate-to-tropical gardens of the world. Sure. I've seen them flower bigger and better than this little guy – but you have to admire those who live on struggle street and still manage to come up smiling.
